Fueling Stronger, Running Smarter Daily | Fireside Chat Guest: Claire Shorenstein

Endurance athletes often walk a fine line between pushing their limits and protecting their well-being. In this Fireside Chat on the Everyday Athlete Podcast Network, Claire Shorenstein—a board-certified sports dietitian and founder of Eat For Endurance—shares how fueling strategies can help us with smarter running

Claire’s story begins in the world of classical music, but a personal struggle with underfueling and performance setbacks shifted her trajectory toward sports nutrition. That journey wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal, inspired by her own experiences with disordered eating and misinformation within the endurance world.

From Underfueling to Empowerment

In our sports, the narrative often skews toward restriction: eat less, weigh less, go faster. Claire pushes back on this dangerous myth. Through her work, she empowers athletes—from weekend warriors to elite runners—to fuel smarter, not less.

Her message is simple and science-backed: weight loss and peak performance don’t mix. By focusing on small, intentional changes—especially increasing carbohydrate intake—Claire helps her clients boost energy levels, improve race outcomes, and build a better relationship with food.

Debunking Dangerous Myths in Endurance Culture

Claire tackles persistent myths head-on. She challenges the belief that simple carbs are “bad,” highlighting their essential role in performance and recovery. She also addresses the harmful pressure to lose weight to become faster—explaining how this mindset often leads to burnout, injury, and long-term health consequences.

Her antidote? A holistic approach that includes balanced fueling, proper hydration, quality sleep, and stress management.

Finding Clarity in the Noise of Social Media

Let’s be real—social media is a minefield of oversimplified and misleading nutrition advice. Claire encourages athletes to apply critical thinking: ask who’s giving the advice, what credentials they hold, and whether there’s a financial incentive behind it. If it sounds extreme or too good to be true, it probably is.

Instead, she urges endurance athletes to follow credible experts, seek nuance, and tailor their approach to their own unique needs.

Fueling Is Personal: There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

In this chat, Claire breaks down real-world fueling questions that most runners have asked: Should I bring water for a short run? Why do I crash during long sessions?

Her answers always come back to context. There are no universal rules—just personal variables like sweat rate, climate, and training intensity. Her approach? Empowering athletes to observe, experiment, and refine their nutrition routines based on what works for them.

Training the Gut: The Game-Changer We Ignore

Yes, gut training is real—and it can make or break your performance. Claire explains how slowly incorporating fuel during workouts trains the digestive system to handle nutrition more efficiently, helping athletes avoid mid-race GI distress and maintain energy when it matters most.

Real Talk, Real Food, Real Fun

Claire wraps the episode with a light-hearted Q&A—sharing her favorite New York foods, from bagels to pizza. It’s a refreshing reminder that nutrition isn’t just science—it’s culture, community, and joy.

The Takeaway: Fueling Is More Than Food

The path to becoming a better and smarter runner isn’t paved with restriction but instead with solid fueling strategies. New to the sport, chasing PRs or just looking for more enjoyment out of sport, Claire’s wisdom can help you get there stronger and healthier.

Watch the full episode now and visit Eat For Endurance for more tips and support.

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